Froomkin: Coverage of Ron DeSantis shows the media has learned nothing from Trump

[Nevilledog]

Link to tweet

https://presswatchers.org/2022/08/coverage-of-ron-desantis-shows-the-media-has-learned-nothing-from-trump/

Mainstream-media journalists are completely unprepared to cover a presidential candidate who would use the power of the state against his political enemies, who stokes division with racist conspiracy theories, and who will do anything to entrench one-party control of the government.

Yes, we’ve been through this before. But in 2016, the media at least had the excuse that it was new to them.

Now, after Trump’s disastrous presidential term and his violent attempt to steal another one, newsroom leaders can argue that everyone knows who Trump is, so they don’t need to explain it every time.

But here comes Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis. Not everybody knows who he is yet. And in some ways, he’s much more dangerous to our democracy than Trump.

He’s an ideologue, not just a narcissist — with a real track record of authoritarian governance. He isn’t just tweeting idle threats, or enriching himself personally. He is already using his position of power to punish his enemies and reward his allies in furtherance of his political goals. His hyperbole and mendacity match and surpass Trump’s. He doesn’t just insult people who disagree with him, he accuses them of wanting to sexualize kindergartners.

*snip*

[Carlitos Brigante]

1. They never "learn anything" from anything that happens. Not from Reagan, Jr. /Rove

Trump, Iran Contra, Iraq, on and on and on......

Said it before, will say it again. When the majority these hacks end up in the "Jesus-y Super Patriot Re-education Facilities Inc." maybe they'll take some time to reflect on their past complicity and ratings games.

[katmondoo]

2. Wants to return to spanking kids in schools.

Will the Dad's like that? Has a sexual feeling when you start spanking girls.

[crickets]

3. I disagree. They've learned a great deal about how to make money

off of covering dangerous buffoons like tfg and Desantis, with little to no real care for any damage they do to the country in the process.

[Hermit-The-Prog]

4. There it is. The billionaires in the background want more, and damn the consequences.

Why billionaire John Malone’s shadow looms over CNN

More money, more power, more consolidation, more homogenation of the 'news', just more.

[crickets]

5. *sigh* Well, that explains a great deal.

What else could you expect when an "admirer" of Rupert Murdoch is involved?

[uponit7771]

11. right ?!

[Midnight Writer]

6. The media didn't learn, but DeSantis sure did.

[diane in sf]

7. Mainstream media is largely owned by Republicans who are just fine with fascism.

[Solly Mack]

8. K&R

[nakocal]

9. Media is 90% owned and controlled by the right wing

So of course they are going to support fascists that are bad for the country. And there is probably a large percentage of the republican controlled media that is also getting money from Putin.

[IngridsLittleAngel]

10. On the contrary, they *have* learned...

Last edited Tue Aug 30, 2022, 09:29 AM - Edit history (1)

They learned from the first time around how to create more Drumpfs. "Hey, he was great for our bottom line, even if he's killing America... Let's create more!" And that's exactly what we're seeing how with the mediots and DeSatan. Since one Drumpf was "so much fun!", let's make more! MTG! DeSatan! Droz! Herschel! OMG, CONSUMERS! You never know what they might say or do next!!! STAY TUNED! 24/7 ROLLER COASTER RIDE, BROUGHT TO YOU BY OUR FRIENDS - THE QOP!

Not to mention the goddamned obsession with "STRONG MEN!" - and to them, nothing says "STRONG!" liking watching fascist jackbooted thugs stomping all over vulnerable people. Plus, cable "news" anymore is 24/7 debate... Meaning lots of chances to "embrace debate" and "both sides" when their beloved Nazis see how much further they can push MAGA... "Tonight on CNN: Should trans people be put to death?! Tonight, Karen Miniskirt Republican and Professor John Sweater Democrat debate!!!"

Of course it's journalistic malpractice... Failing to call the guy a Nazi is malpractice. Trying to normalize his hatred and desire for genocide is malpractice. But what else is new? The same way they gave us ALL DRUMPF, ALL THE TIME in 2016 for the sake of ratings and "excitement", they're now going to do the same thing with that Sunshine State Shrimp leading up to 2024 - human rights and decency and democracy be damned.

"DeSatan may be bad for America, but he'll be good for CBS!" - what Les Moonves would say if he still ran CBS.

(It still makes me sick I was once in the same studio as him... UGH.)

So, yeah. They've learned. They've learned to lather, rinse, repeat, and help create DRUMPF 2.0™.